A young sports student from Huddersfield, who set up her own summer sports camp business whist at university, is now on a mission to transform her local community through sport and fitness.

She is now putting her degree and summer camp business experience into practice as lead coach for not-for-profit organisation, Huddersfield Community, where she is working tirelessly to improve the fitness and wellbeing of disabled, elderly and young people in the community.

Speaking about her time at university, Rebecca said: “Getting a first-class honours degree is something I never thought possible. I knew I liked playing sport - football in particular - but I wasn't at all confident within my own ability or personality.

“My journey at Leeds Beckett has changed all that by making me do things out of my comfort zone – I’ve set up my own business running a summer camp, led after school clubs and sports days, and challenged myself at every opportunity. I’ve changed so much as an individual whilst I’ve been at university, and to get this reward at the end of my degree is a huge achievement. I now want to give something back to my community in Huddersfield, by positively influencing people through sport.”

A keen player of ladies’ football since the age of six, Rebecca also now works alongside associations such as The FA to boost recognition of women in football. She will now carry out a PGCE at Leeds Beckett University, with the ambition to qualify as a Primary School PE co-ordinator.

Speaking about Rebecca, Dr Dave Alder, Senior Lecturer in the Carnegie School of Sport, said: “I am delighted that Rebecca has achieved her ultimate goal at Leeds Beckett University by graduating with a first in Sport Coaching. The determination she has shown during her time with us has been so rewarding to see.

“Her work in her local community is to be commended, as is her mission to get more women into football. That’s the type of role model we want to produce at Leeds Beckett; and Rebecca is a real inspiration to other students, demonstrating values we can all aspire to.”

Performance academics at Leeds Beckett University are collaborating with arts organisations across Europe to develop new, non-verbal methods of adult theatre education and increase participation in theatre.